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Hiring: Farm Manager – Littleton Community Farm

About Littleton Community Farm 

Littleton Community Farm is a small farm in Littleton, MA whose mission is to reduce food insecurity regionally, provide farm-based education, and be a place for community connection. We aim to inspire through hands-on exposure to agriculture and growing for our entire community.

Job Description

Littleton Community Farm is looking for an experienced and committed candidate to fill the role of Farm Manager. Reporting to our Board of Directors, this person will oversee and run all day-to-day farming operations on our three-acre lot. These include the mission-oriented work of donating food to our hunger-relief partners, a 20-week, approximately 75-member seasonal CSA, annual spring seedling sale, robust stewardship of the soil, and interfacing with the Littleton community. Our produce is grown with best organic practices. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience and knowledge of sustainable production, CSA management, experience managing and working with staff and volunteers, a strong work ethic, and an aptitude for community engagement.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Oversee and manage:
    • All produce and production on the 3-acre farm, with strong attention to nutrient management and conservation goals, and in keeping with best organic practices. Duties and expectations include:
  • Planning a budget in consultation with the Board of Directors, for which the Farm Manager will be primarily responsible.
  • Planning and managing a 20-week (June-October), approximately 75-member CSA, including coordinating customer communications, in conjunction with other staff and volunteers.
  • Planning production and budget to meet food donation objectives and coordinate distribution to local partners.
  • Planning and managing an annual spring seedling sale.
    • Mowing and maintaining fields adjacent to farm fields, including a newly added lot intended for educational use.
    • Maintaining an inventory of farm equipment, and storing materials and equipment with a view towards safety, general tidiness, and creating spaces appropriate for community engagement.
    • Farm maintenance, including machinery, cropping, and pest management systems, as well as basic maintenance, such as plumbing, electrical, and light construction work as needed.
    • Using and maintaining irrigation systems, including creating and managing a watering schedule for greenhouse, hoo- house, and production fields (this includes hand-watering as needed).
    • Maintain a system of record-keeping of operations management, such as past crop-plans.
  1. Managing staff and volunteers, interfacing with the community, and reporting to the board.
    • Hiring and managing an additional farm staff.
    • Coordinating volunteer staff.
    • Reporting to and supporting the work of the Board of Directors on a monthly basis.
    • Acting as an ambassador of the farm to visitors, passersby, local organizations, and partners at all times.
  2. Support LCF’s annual funding and execution, specifically regarding grant-raising for farm operations.

Required qualifications and experiences:

  1. A minimum of 3 years of farm/greenhouse management or 5 years of farm work experience. Community-farm experience a plus.
  2. Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, including a proven track record of managing personnel.
  3. Demonstrated record of planning and organization for agricultural production.
  4. Ability to work well with a variety of customers and community members.
  5. Experience with operating, maintaining, and conducting basic repairs on machinery and power equipment.
  6. Knowledge of the principles of using cover crops, soil biology, low-till crop production, permaculture, growing perennials, utilizing living mulches, composting, soil testing, and/or other ecological/organic growing methods.
  7. A willingness and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather, under potentially strenuous conditions.
  8. Timely and proper etiquette in email communications.
  9. A detail-oriented approach, with considerable attention to order, cleanliness, and an ongoing commitment to improving systems and practices.
  10. A desire to grow, process, and distribute produce of the highest nutritional, culinary, and food-safety quality.

Desired qualifications and experiences:

  1. A bachelor’s or associate’s degree in agricultural or environmental science, or a related field.
  2. Community farm experience and/or non-profit experience.
  3. Experience in identifying and pursuing public and/or private funding opportunities pertaining to farm operations.
  4. Experience working with local and state regulatory bodies on issues relating to conservation, food safety, organic practice, and food policy.
  5. Connections to and/or knowledge of regional agricultural associations, such as NOFA (LCF will pay for membership), and/or the wider agricultural community in this region.
  6. Building/construction experience.
  7. Knowledge of Box, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  8. Interest in developing skills pertaining to non-profit development and fundraising.
  9. Experience working with culturally diverse communities and/or speaking languages other than English is a plus.

Other Requirements

  1. A valid driving license.
  2. Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
  3. Cell phone communication.
  4. Reliable transportation.
  5. Satisfactory CORI and reference checks.

 TIME REQUIREMENTS

This is a full-time regular job. Hours will follow a grower’s schedule, with longer hours in the growing season and shorter hours in the off-season. Some evenings and weekends are required during the growing season, occasional board meetings, and for special events.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

  1. This is a salaried position that will provide a competitive salary based on the market and the applicant’s experience, among other factors. Typically, an annual evaluation will be conducted, at which time compensation levels are reviewed.
  2. A stipend towards MassHealth.
  3. Two weeks paid vacation, paid holidays, and 40 hours a year paid sick time.
  4.  Access to 1 share of vegetables and flowers grown on the farm.
  5. In consultation with the Board of Directors Personal, professional development opportunities, including opportunities to develop skills in agricultural production (such as paid time to attend the annual NOFA conference), non-profit development, and farm-based education.

To apply, please email a one-page cover letter and max-two-page CV with contact information of three references to sarak@littletoncommunityfarm.org by 5 PM on November 5. Please also forward any questions or concern to Sara Kallock at this this same address.

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